Gertrude W. "Nana Gert" Phinney

Milbridge—Gertrude W. “Nana Gert” Phinney, 102, died at a Milbridge health care facility January 15, 2003 following a long illness. She was born December 9, 1900 at Milbridge the daughter of Zemro and Minerva (Mitchell) West. Gertie worked for many years at local clam, sardine and blueberry canneries, except for a few years during WWII when she and her late husband, Winfield worked at a shipyard in South Portland. Upon her return to Milbridge, she and her husband operated a small neighborhood grocery store in the Wyman district of Milbridge. In 1996 as the oldest resident of Milbridge she was given the Boston Post Gold Headed Cane, which she treasured. In 1998 during the Ice Storm she was interviewed by two reporters from the Associated Press regarding her reflections on life during her early years without electricity or modern conveniences. During that interview she was asked to what she attributed her long life. Her response was, “hard work and Red Rose tea”. Her interview was printed in several newspapers throughout the country, making her feel very proud. Nana Gert made each and every visitor feel special. No one who visited her home left without her making sure they had either baked food or a memento of some kind. She was also a true lover of animals, be it domestic or wild, they all had to be fed. She is survived by her children, Norma Monsulick of Kents Hill and Zephyr Hills, FL, Charles and his wife Madelyn Phinney of Milbridge and Irving and his wife Alice “Lauretta” Phinney of Brewer; 13 grandchildren, Sally Leighton and her husband Bruce of Milbridge, Valerie Yates and her husband Howard of Cumberland Foreside, Richard Thibeau and his wife Charlene of Travis City, MI, Marina Thibeau of Gardiner, Dorinda Thibeau of Milbridge, Minerva “Bonnie” Whitten of Gray, Madeline “Sis” Leighton of Augusta, Stephen Monsulick, Jr. and his wife Beverly of Kents Hills, Linda Willey and husband Wayne of Milbridge, Woodie Phinney and his wife Carol of Norridgewock, James Phinney and his wife Deborah, Brenton Phinney and his wife Sandra and Michael Phinney and his wife Lynn all of Brewer; 25 great grandchildren, Stacie Venditto, Danielle Leighton, Mark Leighton, Benjamin Yates, Daniel Yates, Jennifer Thibeau, Christopher Whitten, Mathew Whitten, Stephen Norman Whitten, Laurie Leighton, Lynn Derocher, Steven Monsulick, III, Jennifer Monsulick, Charemon Staples, Wanese Lynch, Travis Willey, Scott Phinney, Robert Phinney, Sherri Davis, David Davis, Lisa Phinney, Justin Phinney, Ashley Phinney, Nathanial Phinney and Aaron Phinney; 13 great-great grandchildren, Madison and Jordan Venditto, Davis Leighton, Garrett and Bailey Derocher, Austin Wayne, Logan and Taylor Staples, Abby Lynch, Nicholas and Madelyn Willey, Casey and Christopher Davis; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by one son, Winfield Scott Phinney, Jr. in 1928, a grandson, Gregory M. Thibeau in 1963, her husband, Winfield Phinney in 1985, a granddaughter, Sydney Thibeau in 1998 and a daughter, Mabel Thibeau in 1998. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 12:30 PM until the time of the funeral service at 2:00 PM, Saturday, January 18, 2003 at Bragdon-Kelley-Campbell Funeral Home, Milbridge with Rev. Dana Kennedy officiating. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Ark Animal Shelter, Cherryfield, ME 04622. A memorial register is available on line at Legacy.com.

The sun has set on a busy life
The end has come with no more strife,
At last she has found a home on high
Though the memory of her will never die.